How to Find the High Paying Freelance Writing Jobs

After our recent discussion about $3 writing jobs, I received a flurry of emails suggesting the $3 gigs are easy to find and the higher paying freelance writing jobs are being saved for the veteran freelance writers. I’m here to tell you this isn’t true. If all you’re finding is $3 jobs, you’re looking in the wrong places.

Let me tell you what worked for me.

Start Low if You Must, But Not Too Low

My first article sale paid ten cents per word, a $65 pay check. While I was looking for markets and freelance writing jobs I spied plenty of non-payers and $2 and $3 jobs but I didn’t even give them a second thought. Because I did my research and learned about the type of pay new freelance writers receive for their work, I was able to pass up the insulting offers and find some great places to begin.

But I’m Desperate!

No one was more desperate for work than Yours Truly! I quit my job after 20 years in Corporate America to buy a house, move to another state, and raise my baby. The loss of a decent paycheck was a serious blow to my husband and I. Especially since we now had to pay for a mortgage and baby expenses. We gave me a year to try and make it as a freelance writer. Don’t think I didn’t consider taking any scraps that came along. I knew if I did though, I’d get stuck in a low-paying rut. Besides, I didn’t want a reputation as someone who works for little money.

Set a Price and Stick With It

When I first began writing I knew I wasn’t going to command high prices. I also knew that if I set a reasonable rate and provided quality content, I could raise my rates later on down the line. For simple web articles I set a rate of $15 per. Not a lot of money, but reasonable for web content portals.

Meanwhile I was querying newspapers and magazines for higher paying work. Soon I landed a newspaper column and regular work with a high paying online parenting media organization. In between the higher paying gigs, I wrote $15-$50 web content for various online information portals.

Make the Job Hunt Part of the Job

From what I understand, work at homers like the $2 or $5 web writing gigs for two reasons. They’re easy to find and they pay right away via PayPal. I can understand both reasons, but they’re not enough to convince me I need to work for $2. All of my gigs pay once a month, but they pay enough that I don’t have to worry about living paycheck to paycheck and can budget accordingly. Moreover, the higher paying gigs are just as easy to find.

If anyone was to ask me what I feel is the most important task as a freelance writer I’d say it’s the job hunt. Yet many writers don’t want to take the time out to find quality gigs. The job hunt has to be part of the job. Writing is the easy part, finding the work takes effort. I scheduled a two hour job hunt into my daily ritual. That block of time doesn’t work for everyone, but find a rhythm that works for you. Take time out every day to look for work.

If You Want Quality Jobs Stay Away from Sources of Cheap Labor

If you’re at a job board or bidding site and all you can find are low paying jobs, you’re probably in the wrong place. Right now job boards and blogs are a dime a dozen, there are plenty of places to look for freelance writing and blogging jobs. Not all of them pay $2 either!

Just Say No to Cheap Labor

This post went on a bit longer than planned but I think it’s important for new writers to learn about their options. You can take a $3 gig if that’s your choice, or you can work harder to find jobs paying more. You don’t have to settle for low payers, even if you’re just starting out.

If you’re working more hours for a little money, something is seriously wrong. Let’s all vow to work smarter not harder in 2008!

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